WhatsApp has announced plans to introduce usernames, giving users a new way to connect without sharing their personal phone numbers.
The messaging platform, in an update shared with users, said the feature is aimed at giving people greater control over their privacy by allowing them to interact through unique usernames rather than mobile numbers.
The company said users can begin reserving their preferred usernames from this week ahead of the public rollout of the feature later in the year.
According to WhatsApp, the reservation process takes only a few seconds. Users are advised to update the app to the latest version before navigating to Settings > Account > Username to secure their chosen username.
Explaining the reason for the new feature, WhatsApp said, “Your phone number is personal and sometimes you want to connect without handing it over. That’s why we’re introducing usernames for WhatsApp.”
The platform noted that the feature is expected to become available to users later this year after the reservation phase.